Alpha, Michigan

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Population in 2022: 123 (0% urban, 100% rural).
Population change since 2000: -37.9%
Males: 54  (44.0%)
Females: 69  (56.0%)
Median resident age:

59.5 years
Michigan median age:

40.3 years

Zip codes: 49902, 49920.

Alpha Zip Code Map
Estimated median household income in 2022: $35,610 (it was $21,750 in 2000)
Alpha:

$35,610
MI:

$66,986

Estimated per capita income in 2022: $25,564 (it was $12,084 in 2000)

Estimated median house or condo value in 2022: $35,708 (it was $30,900 in 2000)
Alpha:

$35,708
MI:

$224,400

Mean prices in 2022: all housing units: $70,720; detached houses: $70,858

Median gross rent in 2022: $532.

March 2022 cost of living index in Alpha: 78.2 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2022: 21.0%

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  • Races in Alpha, MI (2022)
    • 18990.4%White alone
    • 104.8%American Indian alone
    • 62.9%Two or more races
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Latest news from Alpha, MI collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: German (28.1%), American (15.8%), European (14.0%), Polish (10.5%), English (8.8%), Italian (7.0%).

Current Local Time: CST time zone

Elevation: 1420 feet

Land area: 0.94 square miles.

Population density: 131 people per square mile   (very low).

Alpha, Michigan map

2 residents are foreign born

This village:

1.0%
Michigan:

5.3%

Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2022: $1,380 (3.4%)
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2022: $548 (1.6%)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Green Bay, WI (107.4 miles , pop. 102,313).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Milwaukee, WI (208.0 miles , pop. 596,974).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Chicago, IL (292.9 miles , pop. 2,896,016).

Nearest cities:

Crystal Falls, MI (2.1 miles ),
Florence, WI (3.3 miles ),
Gaastra, MI (3.3 miles ),
Caspian, MI (3.5 miles ),
Stambaugh, MI (3.5 miles ),
Fern, WI (3.6 miles),
Commonwealth, WI (3.6 miles ),
Iron River, MI (3.6 miles )

Latitude: 46.04 N, Longitude: 88.38 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 906

Distribution of median household income in Alpha, MI in 2022
Distribution of house value in Alpha, MI in 2022

Alpha satellite photo by USGS

Unemployment in December 2023:
Here:

5.7%
Michigan:

3.5%
Most common industries in Alpha, MI (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Health care (32.8%)
  • Educational services (15.5%)
  • Gasoline stations (8.6%)
  • Public administration (6.9%)
  • Furniture & home furnishings, household appliance stores (5.2%)
  • Wood products (5.2%)
  • Construction (3.4%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Educational services (25.0%)
  • Health care (21.4%)
  • Furniture & home furnishings, household appliance stores (10.7%)
  • Wood products (10.7%)
  • Construction (7.1%)
  • Gasoline stations (7.1%)
  • Public administration (7.1%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Health care (43.3%)
  • Gasoline stations (10.0%)
  • Food & beverage stores (6.7%)
  • Public administration (6.7%)
  • Utilities (6.7%)
  • Finance & insurance (6.7%)
  • Real estate & rental & leasing (6.7%)
Most common occupations in Alpha, MI (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (8.6%)
  • Supervisors and other personal care and service workers, except child care workers (6.9%)
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (6.9%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (5.2%)
  • Other teachers, instructors, education, training, and library occupations (5.2%)
  • Health technologists and technicians (5.2%)
  • Cashiers (5.2%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (10.7%)
  • Other teachers, instructors, education, training, and library occupations (10.7%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (10.7%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (10.7%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (7.1%)
  • Law enforcement workers, including supervisors (7.1%)
  • Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists (7.1%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Other office and administrative support workers, including supervisors (13.3%)
  • Supervisors and other personal care and service workers, except child care workers (10.0%)
  • Cashiers (10.0%)
  • Health technologists and technicians (6.7%)
  • Mathematical science occupations (6.7%)
  • Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (6.7%)
  • Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (6.7%)

Average climate in Alpha, Michigan

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Alpha, Michigan average temperatures Alpha, Michigan average precipitation Alpha, Michigan humidity Alpha, Michigan wind speed Alpha, Michigan snowfall Alpha, Michigan sunshine Alpha, Michigan clear and cloudy days
Air pollution and air quality trends
(lower is better)
AQI Ozone
Air Quality Index

Air Quality Index (AQI) level in 2010 was 56.4. This is better than average.

City:

56.4
U.S.:

72.6
Ozone Level

Ozone [ppb] level in 2010 was 30.5. This is about average. Closest monitor was 17.3 miles away from the city center.

City:

30.5
U.S.:

33.3

Tornado activity:

Alpha-area historical tornado activity is significantly below Michigan state average. It is 69% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 7/4/1986, a category F3 (max. wind speeds 158-206 mph) tornado 28.4 miles away from the Alpha village center injured 12 people and caused between $50,000 and $500,000 in damages.

On 7/11/1987, a category F3 tornado 31.0 miles away from the village center caused between $5000 and $50,000 in damages.

Earthquake activity:

Alpha-area historical earthquake activity is above Michigan state average. It is 82% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 5/2/2015 at 16:23:07, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 2.8 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 301.4 miles away from the city center
On 7/9/1975 at 14:54:15, a magnitude 4.6 (4.6 MB) earthquake occurred 369.9 miles away from Alpha center
On 6/28/2004 at 06:10:52, a magnitude 4.2 (4.2 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi) earthquake occurred 318.2 miles away from the city center
On 2/10/2010 at 09:59:35, a magnitude 3.8 (3.8 MW, Depth: 6.2 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 282.0 miles away from the city center
On 1/31/1986 at 16:46:43, a magnitude 5.0 (5.0 MB, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 473.1 miles away from Alpha center
On 9/25/1998 at 19:52:52, a magnitude 5.2 (4.8 MB, 4.3 MS, 5.2 LG, 4.5 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 507.7 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Iron County (5) is a lot smaller than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 1
Emergencies Declared: 3

Causes of natural disasters: Blizzard: 1, Drought: 1, Flood: 1, Hurricane: 1, Snowstorm: 1, Other: 1 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Alpha topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers near Alpha:

  • CRYSTAL FALLS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL (Hospital, about 5 miles away; CRYSTAL FALLS, MI)
  • CRYSTAL MANOR NURSING HOME (Nursing Home, about 5 miles away; CRYSTAL FALLS, MI)
  • GOLDEN LIVINGCENTER-FLORENCE (Nursing Home, about 11 miles away; FLORENCE, WI)
  • UNITED HOME CARE (Home Health Center, about 13 miles away; IRON RIVER, MI)
  • NORTHSTAR HEALTH SYSTEM Critical Access Hospitals (about 13 miles away; IRON RIVER, MI)
  • IRON RIVER CARE CENTER (Nursing Home, about 13 miles away; IRON RIVER, MI)
  • DICKINSON IRON DIST HELTH DEPT (Hospital, about 13 miles away; IRON RIVER, MI)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Alpha:

  • Northern Michigan University (about 59 miles; Marquette, MI; Full-time enrollment: 8,258)
  • Michigan Technological University (about 75 miles; Houghton, MI; FT enrollment: 6,078)
  • Northcentral Technical College (about 96 miles; Wausau, WI; FT enrollment: 3,356)
  • Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (about 106 miles; Green Bay, WI; FT enrollment: 6,069)
  • University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (about 108 miles; Green Bay, WI; FT enrollment: 5,415)
  • Saint Norbert College (about 112 miles; De Pere, WI; FT enrollment: 2,324)
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (about 120 miles; Stevens Point, WI; FT enrollment: 9,089)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear village borders

Notable location: Alpha Village Hall (A). Display/hide its location on the map

Iron County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Moderate Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Alpha and their reported violations in the past:

ALPHA (Address: 404 Main Street , Population served: 198, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In SEP-2011, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (SEP-12-2011), St Violation/Reminder Notice (SEP-12-2011), St Compliance achieved (OCT-03-2011)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2008, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (AUG-22-2008), St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-22-2008), St Public Notif received (AUG-22-2008), St Compliance achieved (SEP-02-2008)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JUN-2008, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif received (JUN-04-2008), St Public Notif requested (JUN-06-2008), St Violation/Reminder Notice (JUN-06-2008), St Compliance achieved (JUN-09-2008)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In JAN-2008, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif received (JAN-10-2008), St Public Notif requested (JAN-11-2008), St Violation/Reminder Notice (JAN-11-2008), St Compliance achieved (FEB-26-2008)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In AUG-2006, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (AUG-17-2006), St Violation/Reminder Notice (AUG-17-2006), St Compliance achieved (SEP-05-2006)
Past monitoring violations:
  • One routine major monitoring violation
Average household size:
This village:

1.7 people
Michigan:

2.5 people

Percentage of family households:
This village:

40.0%
Whole state:

66.0%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This village:

5.9%
Whole state:

6.4%


No gay or lesbian households reported

For population 15 years and over in Alpha:

Marital status in Alpha, MI
  • Never married: 24.5%
  • Now married: 20.0%
  • Separated: 0.0%
  • Widowed: 5.0%
  • Divorced: 50.5%

For population 25 years and over in Alpha:

  • High school or higher: 86.5%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 4.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.1%
  • Unemployed: 17.1%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 19.3 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2022
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2022
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

9.1
Michigan average:

11.0

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Alpha, MI (based on Iron County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic3,4513
Mainline Protestant1,98110
Evangelical Protestant61212
Other11
None5,772-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 4
Iron County:

3.30 / 10,000 pop.
Michigan:

2.34 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 1
Iron County:

0.83 / 10,000 pop.
Michigan:

1.52 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 14
Iron County:

11.57 / 10,000 pop.
State:

2.99 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 18
Here:

14.87 / 10,000 pop.
State:

6.80 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
This county:

10.5%
Michigan:

9.7%
Adult obesity rate:
Iron County:

28.5%
Michigan:

29.7%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
This county:

15.6%
State:

13.4%
Local government employment and payroll (March 2022)
Function Full-time employees Monthly full-time payroll Average yearly full-time wage Part-time employees Monthly part-time payroll
Other Government Administration 0$0 4$160
Streets and Highways 0$0 2$2,657
Electric Power 0$0 1$1,993
Financial Administration 0$0 3$3,283
Totals for Government 0$0 10$8,093

Alpha government finances - Expenditure in 2017 (per resident):

  • Current Operations - Sewerage: $77,000 ($626.02)
    Regular Highways: $47,000 ($382.11)
    General Public Buildings: $37,000 ($300.81)
    General - Other: $14,000 ($113.82)
    Central Staff Services: $12,000 ($97.56)
    Local Fire Protection: $7,000 ($56.91)
    Solid Waste Management: $4,000 ($32.52)
    Financial Administration: $3,000 ($24.39)
  • General - Interest on Debt: $15,000 ($121.95)
  • Other Capital Outlay - General - Other: $13,000 ($105.69)
  • Total Salaries and Wages: $45,000 ($365.85)
  • Water Utilities - Interest on Debt: $8,000 ($65.04)

Alpha government finances - Revenue in 2017 (per resident):

  • Charges - Sewerage: $60,000 ($487.80)
    Other: $4,000 ($32.52)
  • Miscellaneous - Rents: $10,000 ($81.30)
    General Revenue - Other: $7,000 ($56.91)
    Interest Earnings: $3,000 ($24.39)
  • Revenue - Water Utilities: $52,000 ($422.76)
  • State Intergovernmental - Highways: $40,000 ($325.20)
    General Local Government Support: $20,000 ($162.60)
    Other: $6,000 ($48.78)
  • Tax - Property: $44,000 ($357.72)

Alpha government finances - Debt in 2017 (per resident):

  • Long Term Debt - Beginning Outstanding - Unspecified Public Purpose: $522,000 ($4243.90)
    Outstanding Unspecified Public Purpose: $509,000 ($4138.21)
    Retired Unspecified Public Purpose: $14,000 ($113.82)

Alpha government finances - Cash and Securities in 2017 (per resident):

  • Other Funds - Cash and Securities: $274,000 ($2227.64)

Strongest AM radio stations in Alpha:

  • WIKB (1230 AM; 1 kW; IRON RIVER, MI; Owner: NORTHLAND ADVERTISING, INC.)
  • WSPT (1010 AM; 50 kW; STEVENS POINT, WI)
  • WDBC (680 AM; 10 kW; ESCANABA, MI; Owner: KMB BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WSAU (550 AM; 20 kW; WAUSAU, WI; Owner: WRIG, INC.)
  • WEBC (560 AM; 50 kW; DULUTH, MN)
  • WTCM (580 AM; 35 kW; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; Owner: WTCM RADIO, INC.)
  • WNAM (1280 AM; 50 kW; NEENAH-MENASHA, WI; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)
  • WZAM (970 AM; 5 kW; ISHPEMING, MI)
  • WMIQ (1450 AM; 1 kW; IRON MOUNTAIN, MI; Owner: NORTHERN STAR BROADCASTING, L.L.C.)
  • WLDR (1210 AM; daytime; 50 kW; KINGSLEY, MI; Owner: FORT BEND BROADCASTING COMPANY)
  • WTMJ (620 AM; 50 kW; MILWAUKEE, WI; Owner: JOURNAL BROADCAST CORPORATION)
  • WHBY (1150 AM; 25 kW; KIMBERLY, WI; Owner: WOODWARD COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WDMJ (1320 AM; 5 kW; MARQUETTE, MI; Owner: NORTHERN STAR BROADCASTING, L.L.C.)

Strongest FM radio stations in Alpha:

  • WIKB-FM (99.1 FM; IRON RIVER, MI; Owner: NORTHLAND ADVERTISING, INC.)
  • WOBE (100.7 FM; CRYSTAL FALLS, MI; Owner: RESULTS BROADCASTING OF IRON MOUNTAIN, INC.)
  • WHTO (106.7 FM; IRON MOUNTAIN, MI; Owner: TODD STUART NOORDYK)
  • WJNR-FM (101.5 FM; IRON MOUNTAIN, MI; Owner: RESULTS BROADCASTING OF IRON MOUNTAIN, INC.)
  • WVCM (91.5 FM; IRON MOUNTAIN, MI; Owner: VCY AMERICA INC.)
  • WIMK (93.1 FM; IRON MOUNTAIN, MI; Owner: NORTHERN STAR BROADCASTING, L.L.C.)
  • W244AW (96.7 FM; IRON MOUNTAIN, MI; Owner: FAMILY ED BC CORP OF DOOR CNTY WI)
  • WNMU-FM (90.1 FM; MARQUETTE, MI; Owner: NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY)
  • WEUL (98.1 FM; KINGSFORD, MI; Owner: GOSPEL OPPORTUNITIES, INC.)
  • WZNL (94.3 FM; NORWAY, MI; Owner: NORTHERN STAR BROADCASTING, L.L.C.)
  • W237AW (95.3 FM; IRON RIVER, MI; Owner: WRVM, INC.)

TV broadcast stations around Alpha:

  • WYOW (Channel 34; EAGLE RIVER, WI; Owner: WAOW-WYOW TELEVISION, INC.)
  • KTTM (Channel 12; HURON, SD; Owner: INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WUPT-CA (Channel 25; CRYSTAL FALLS, MI; Owner: WESTERN UPPER PENINSULA TELEVISION, INC.)
  • WJFW-TV (Channel 12; RHINELANDER, WI; Owner: NORTHLAND TELEVISION, INC.)
  • W54AR (Channel 54; FENCE, WI; Owner: STATE OF WISCONSIN - EDUCATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD)
  • WLUC-TV (Channel 6; MARQUETTE, MI; Owner: WLUC LICENSE SUBSIDIARY, INC.)
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 2Number of bridges
  • 10ft / 3.2mTotal length
  • $190,000Total costs
  • 3,783Total average daily traffic
  • 292Total average daily truck traffic
  • 4,220Total future (year 2018) average daily traffic

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:

1
  • Call Sign: W6HCM, Previous Call Sign: KF7YMN, Licensee ID: L01728024, Grant Date: 11/17/2020, Expiration Date: 11/17/2030, Certifier: William T Kapeles, Registrant: William T Kapeles, Alpha, MI 49902


Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Alpha, MI
  • 78.8%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 13.5%Wood
  • 5.8%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 1.9%Utility gas
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Alpha, MI
  • 61.1%Utility gas
  • 38.9%Bottled, tank, or LP gas


Alpha compared to Michigan state average:

  • Median household income below state average.
  • Median house value significantly below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Median age significantly above state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • House age above state average.
  • Number of college students significantly below state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.
There are no pilots and 2 other airmen in this city.
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